Contact: Beat Meier
beat.meier@nmr.phys.chem.ethz.ch
41-446-324-401
Wiley-Blackwell

NMR Spectra of Prions

Caption: The molecular basis for prion infectivity is not yet understood. The NMR spectra of noninfectious and infectious amyloids of the prion-forming domain 218-289 of the fungal prion HET-s are clearly different (see picture) but are indicative for a cross-beta arrangement in both cases. The fibrils formed at pH 3 are not infectious because their molecular structure apparently differs substantially from that formed at physiological pH.

Credit: (C) Wiley-VCH 2008

Usage Restrictions: Permission to use with appropriate credit and link to http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/anie.200704896

Related news release: Tracking prions